Latex derived from Ficus carica L. inhibited the growth of NSCLC by regulating the caspase/gasdermin/AKT signaling pathway.

Previous studies reported the latex from the fruit of Ficus carica L. (fig) has anti-tumor and antioxidant activities in animal models. However, its active constituents, mechanism of action, and safety remain unknown. The alcohol-precipitated fraction of fig fruit latex (AFFL) was purified and prepared for testing against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). UPLC-TOF-MS/MS was used to examined the components of AFFL. We validated efficacy by researching antitumor phenotypes in vitro and constructing subcutaneous grafts of nude mice with NSCLC, as well as showing the underlying mechanism at the protein level. The results showed that 11 components of AFFL were screened. AFFL significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion, and clonogenesis of NSCLC cells, promoted cell apoptosis, inhibited tumor growth in A549 xenograft mice, but induced no obvious damage to normal mouse tissues (liver or kidney). Molecular mechanism studies revealed that AFFL could increase Caspase-1 expression in cancer cells by activating the cleavage of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, inhibiting the activity of Bcl-2, and promoting tumor cell apoptosis. These processes cause gasdermin proteins (GSDMD and GSDME) to be cleaved, releasing N-terminal domain proteins to accumulate and perforate the cell membrane, and promoting tumor cell pyroptosis. In conclusion, our findings suggested that AFFL may promote tumor cell apoptosis and pyroptosis via the Caspase/Gasdermin/AKT signaling pathway and inhibit NSCLC growth in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating that fig latex can be developed as a functional food and drug with anti-NSCLC properties.

Computed tomography versus ultrasound/fine needle aspiration biopsy in differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules: a retrospective analysis / Tomografia computadorizada versus ultrassonografia/biópsia por aspiração com agulha fina no diagnóstico diferencial de nódulos tireoidianos: uma análise retrospectiva

Abstract Introduction Ultrasound sonography provides a quick method for determining which nodule to sample for fine needle aspiration biopsy in thyroid nodules. On the other hand, the computed tomography examination is not restricted by echo attenuation and distinguishes between benign and malignant nodules. Objective To compare computed tomography examinations against ultrasound/fine needle aspiration biopsy in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Methods Data regarding computed tomography examinations, sonographic finding following fine needle aspiration biopsy, and tumor histology of 953 nodules from 698 patients who underwent thyroidectomy were collected and analyzed. The beneficial score for detection of the malignant tumor for each adopted modality was evaluated. Results Ultrasound images did not show a well-circumscribed solid mass in 89 nodules, and ultimately did not detect nodules in fine needle aspiration biopsies (false positive non-malignant nodules). Ultrasound images showed parenchymatous disease (false positive malignant nodules) in several nodules. Computed tomography examinations demonstrated higher difficulty in detection of malignant nodules of 1.0-2.0 cm size than ultrasound examination following fine needle aspiration biopsies; compared to tumor histological data, computed tomography examinations had a sensitivity of 0.879. Conclusion Computed tomography examinations are a more reliable method for differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules than ultrasound examinations followed by fine needle aspiration biopsy. Level of Evidence III.

Resumo Introdução A ultrassonografia é um método rápido para determinar de qual nódulo se deve coletar uma amostra para biópsia por aspiração com agulha fina. Por outro lado, o exame de tomografia computadorizada não é restringido pela atenuação do eco e distingue entre nódulos benignos e malignos. Objetivo Comparar exames tomográficos versus biópsia por ultrassonografia/aspiração por agulha fina no diagnóstico diferencial de nódulos tireoidianos. Método Dados sobre exames tomográficos, achados ultrassonográficos após biópsia por aspiração com agulha fina e histologia tumoral de 953 nódulos de 698 pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia foram coletados e analisados. O escore de benefício para detecção do tumor maligno para cada modalidade adotada foi avaliado. Resultados As imagens de ultrassom não mostraram uma lesão sólida bem circunscrita em 89 nódulos; e na análise final não foram detectados nódulos nas biópsias por aspiração com agulha fina (nódulos não malignos falsos positivos). As imagens ultrassonográficas mostraram doença parenquimatosa (nódulos malignos falsos positivos) em vários nódulos. Os exames de tomografia computadorizada apresentaram grandes dificuldades na detecção de nódulos malignos de 1,0-2,0 cm de tamanho em comparação com o exame de ultrassonografia após biópsias por aspiração com agulha fina; comparados aos dados histológicos do tumor, os exames de tomografia computadorizada apresentaram sensibilidade de 0,879. Conclusão Os exames de tomografia computadorizada são um método mais confiável para o diagnóstico diferencial de nódulos tireoidianos do que os exames de ultrassonografia, seguidos por biópsia por aspiração com agulha fina.

Single-dose AAV-based vaccine induces a high level of neutralizing antibodies and provides long-term protection against SARS-CoV-2 in rhesus macaques

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is triggered by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, continues to threaten global public health. Developing a vaccine that only requires single immunization but provides long-term protection for the prevention and control of COVID-19 is important. Here, we developed an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vaccine expressing a stable receptor-binding domain (SRBD) protein. The vaccine requires only a single shot but provides effective neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) over 598 days in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Importantly, our results showed that the NAbs were kept in high level and long lasting against authentic wild-type SARS-CoV-2, Beta, Delta and Omicron variants using plaque reduction neutralization test. Of note, although we detected pre-existing AAV2/9 antibodies before immunization, the vaccine still induced high and effective NAbs against COVID-19 in rhesus macaques. AAV-SRBD immune serum also efficiently inhibited the binding of ACE2 with RBD in the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1/P.2 (Gamma), B.1.617.2 (Delta), B.1.617.1/3(Kappa), and C.37 (Lambda) variants. Thus, these data suggest that the vaccine has great potential to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Computed tomography versus ultrasound/fine needle aspiration biopsy in differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules: a retrospective analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound sonography provides a quick method for determining which nodule to sample for fine needle aspiration biopsy in thyroid nodules. On the other hand, the computed tomography examination is not restricted by echo attenuation and distinguishes between benign and malignant nodules. OBJECTIVE: To compare computed tomography examinations against ultrasound/fine needle aspiration biopsy in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. METHODS: Data regarding computed tomography examinations, sonographic finding following fine needle aspiration biopsy, and tumor histology of 953 nodules from 698 patients who underwent thyroidectomy were collected and analyzed. The beneficial score for detection of the malignant tumor for each adopted modality was evaluated. RESULTS: Ultrasound images did not show a well-circumscribed solid mass in 89 nodules, and ultimately did not detect nodules in fine needle aspiration biopsies (false positive non-malignant nodules). Ultrasound images showed parenchymatous disease (false positive malignant nodules) in several nodules. Computed tomography examinations demonstrated higher difficulty in detection of malignant nodules of 1.0-2.0cm size than ultrasound examination following fine needle aspiration biopsies; compared to tumor histological data, computed tomography examinations had a sensitivity of 0.879. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography examinations are a more reliable method for differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules than ultrasound examinations followed by fine needle aspiration biopsy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Quality Analysis of Cortex Moudan from Different Parts of Anhui Province / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To analyze the quality of Cortex Moudan which grew for four years from main planting parts in Anhui province.Methods According to Pharmacopoeias of People Republic of China(2005 edition),the water content,the total ash content,ash content of acid infusibility,the content of the thing soak out and paeonol content were measured to investigate the quality of Cortex Moudan.Results Paeonol content of Cortex Moudan collected from main planting parts in Anhui province was from 0.98% to 1.77%.Conclusion The quality of Cortex Moudan from Nanling is the best of all.

Study on testis gene chip of mouse model with syndrome of deficiency of kidney yang / 中华中医药杂志

Objective: To inquire into the testis gene change of mouse model with kidney-yang deficiency induced by overfatigue and excessive sexual life, the modern science mechanism of syndrome of kidney-yang deficiency and kidney controlling reproduction can be revealed on the gene level. Methods: The model of kidney-yang deficiency was established by each male mouse with six female mice keeping in the same cage, and all the male mice were forced to swim for 30-40 minutes everyday lasting for four weeks. The testis genes of mice in control group and model group were detected with Mouse OneArrayTM Whole Genome DNA microarray. The differentially expressed genes were screened under the condition of the relative fluorescence intensity ratio of the two groups ≥2 and ≤0.5 and further classified according to gene function by using Molecule Annotation System (MAS) created by CapitalBio Corp. Beijing, China. Results: The mouse model with kidney-yang deficiency was established successfully by the method of overfatigue and excessive sexual life. The scatter plot of gene expression profiles of comparing control group with model group was drawn. Differentially expressed genes were screened, including 2425 up-regulated genes and 3080 down-regulated genes. Among the first one hundred up-regulated genes, 41 genes were known and among the first one hundred down-regulated genes, 62 genes were known. These genes were mainly related to the cellular structure/function, material/energy metabolism, signal transduction/transmission, inflammation/immunization, cell apoptosis, transcription/translation,proliferation/differentiation and cell cycle. Conclusion: The testis gene of kidney-yang deficiency mouse had a wide change. The essence of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome and the theory of the kidney originating and controlling life reproduction were explained on the gene level.